The fire consumed the home they resided in off the 300 block of Express Alley on Saturday morning.

The manner of their deaths will be determined pending results of an investigation into the fire's cause, the medical examiner's office said.

Hope Jordan's husband, Keith Egenlauf, 23, was burned in the fire and is in critical condition at UPMC Mercy, said his mother, Laverne Egenlauf, 54.

"The doctor said he's young and healthy and should make it," she said, and her son was heavily sedated after 55 percent of his body was burned.

Investigators still are attempting to determine what caused the fire, which originated on the first floor, said Alvin Henderson Jr., Allegheny County Department of Emergency Services chief.

"There's an area in the living room that is showing the most fire damage to us, so that's where we're really focusing on," he said.

The house where the victims resided was rented by Ronald Egenlauf Sr., said his estranged wife, Laverne Egenlauf.

Through a county agency, Keith Egenlauf was paid to take care of his father, who was using a wheelchair after suffering a stroke about six years ago, she said.

Keith Egenlauf and Hope Jordan married in December.

"Keith fell in love with her kids. They all called him 'dad,' even though he wasn't their daddy...they all called me 'grandma,'" she said.

Hope Jordan had experienced some difficulties in life but she was working hard to turn things around for herself and her children, family members said.

Three of her four children had been in foster care through the Allegheny County Office of Children, Youth and Families, but she had regained custody of Dominic, Laverne Egenlauf said.

Autumn and Victoria were visiting the home this weekend, and Hope Jordan was due to regain custody of them soon, family members said.

"She was looking forward to having these two children back in her custody for Thanksgiving ... permanently," Laverne Egenlauf said.

Serenity lived mostly with her father, Andrew Jakub, 26, of McKeesport, but she was spending the weekend with her mother, siblings and stepfather, Jakub said.

"Accidents happen. It just happened to be an accident my family was in," he said.

Serenity loved to dance and listen to music, he said.

"She was like a ray of sunshine. She was able to bring a smile to anybody's face," he said.

Hope Jordan was a loving mother until the end of her life, said her sister, Dawn McPherson, 37, of Elizabeth.

"From what I was told, her husband ran to get help and she told him, 'I'm going to get my babies.' She could have gotten out of the house and she didn't. She made sure she was with her babies," McPherson said.

Friends and family members are raising money to help pay for the funeral expenses and Keith Egenlauf's medical costs.

Charleroi resident Amanda Grimes, 38, whose daughter is Hope Jordan's niece, has set up a GoFundMe account at http://www.gofundme.com/fzimns, through which $4,551 had been raised as of 12:42 p.m. Sunday.

A 50/50 raffle and spaghetti dinner fundraiser also are planned, Grimes said.